First Gaelic manuscript in the Advocates Library

In 1696, a copy of Geoffrey Keating's work on the history of
Ireland, 'Forus feasa ar Eirinn', was gifted to the Advocates
Library by Patrick Logan.

Logan was a schoolmaster in Lurgan, Ireland. He was originally
from Scotland and had followed with interest a recent controversy
concerning early Scottish history.

One of the authors involved was Sir George Mackenzie of
Rosehaugh, founder of the Advocates Library. He had died in 1691,
but Logan hoped that somebody in his circle would continue the
historical argument.

Patriotically minded, and hoping to assist the Scottish side of
the controversy, he had commissioned and sent the manuscript at his
own expense.

Ancient Irish records

Keating's history drew on ancient Irish records that were
inaccessible to most. It was recognised as a valuable work, and
Logan thought that language should be no obstacle to the
Advocates:

'To understand the tongue these that have the Irish language
will explain it', he wrote.

Another manuscript copy of the work, made in 1647, went to the
Advocates Library in 1850.